Convert Maglite to LED

D

db

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
3,762
I cann't remember is there a easy way to convert a mini Maglite to LED? For some reason I thought there was some kind of kit at Walmart or target to do this.
 
Yea, there is a kit at Wal-mart and i think Dick's sporting goods that has a three bulb led replacment and it comes with a tail switch. I think is was only 5 bucks when i got it a few months ago.
 
I've reviewed a couple of kits. It's a drop-in LED lamp cluster that replaces the regular lamp. Some allow you to focus the beam that results, and some do not.

There's a RAM kit that is probably among the cheapest; there's a Terra-Lux kit; and Nite-Ize makes one. I think it's the Nite-Ize that is avaialable pretty commonly at Wal*Mart. It's of decent quality and workmanship but, more importantly, results in a Mini-Maglite that won't burn out every time you look at it funny.
 
I bought the terralux cree LED's for my minimag and 3D maglite.
Man these things rock.
The mini is as bright as the 3D was... the 3D is closer to a car headlight.
I am impressed.

Simple as eating pie to switch out.

Bought them here, great service as well
http://www.batteryjunction.com/tle-5k2.html
 
There are close to a dozen different kits available to convert a MiniMag to LED, I've got at least 6 or 8 different ones around the house and in the cars. Some are geared towards putting out a lot of light for a shorter time (like the Cree Terralux), while others will put out less light (still about as much as the stock incan bulb) for 10+ hours. Prices start as little as $5 for the Nite-Ize 3-LED versions up to $25 or so for the brightest Terralux.
 
Anything out there for a 4 D cell mag?

I mean the thing has been useless to me for years now but its kind of a waste to throw it out or not use it.

A nice drop in LED might salvage it for me though.
 
BOK said:
Anything out there for a 4 D cell mag?

I mean the thing has been useless to me for years now but its kind of a waste to throw it out or not use it.

A nice drop in LED might salvage it for me though.
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Mag offers a replacement drop-in LED (same one they use in their MagLed 4D light), it is geared towards long runtime, not huge light output. Terralux offers several drop-in solutions, some geared towards lots of output, some towards runtime. Malkoff also has a couple of options. Depending how bright you want to go, the various drop-in LED solutions run from around $15 to $150.
 
Just the info I needed! Thanks.

At least now I'll get some use out of it.
 
I got a nite ize one. Had to fiddle with it for a long while to get it to work. Then the next time I needed it, it wouldn't work.

Are they even worth it or are you better off getting a cheap Dorcy LED? I ask because I have a couple of mini-mag lite bodies laying around and I hate to throw stuff away.
 
I dont rember what its call but someone at the gun show yesterday had a 3cree led mag light thats 500+ lumens, I almost.... well lets just say i wanted it VERY bad lol. It was $125 with a new 3 d maglight and the kit, you could also run cr123 with it.
 
tgiannes said:
I dont rember what its call but someone at the gun show yesterday had a 3cree led mag light thats 500+ lumens, I almost.... well lets just say i wanted it VERY bad lol. It was $125 with a new 3 d maglight and the kit, you could also run cr123 with it.
Click to expand...
Terralux has a high-powered 3xLED drop-in for D cell Mags, $70 or so, uses K2 LED's, but some people have reported heat-sinking issues. Malkoff has one as well, uses 3 Cree LED's, better heat-sinking, and goes for $150.

Shann said:
Are they even worth it or are you better off getting a cheap Dorcy LED? I ask because I have a couple of mini-mag lite bodies laying around and I hate to throw stuff away.
Click to expand...
The great think about using Maglites as hosts for LED drop-ins are that the body and switches on the lights are very durable and nearly bulletproof. Some of the drop-ins are of questionable quality, generally you get what you pay for, but there are some bargains out there that are well built as well.
 
The Terralux absolutely has heat sink issues as it uses the stock bulb tower. Malkoff is definately the way to go if you're talking high output and multiple emitters.
 
I have the nite-ize for both my mini- 2xAA and my 2xD the little one for runtime, its ok, about the same light output, no focusing, but good coverage not all spotted like the original bulb. the drop in for the 2xD is good for any big mag, as it is the same as the regular bulbs, got it after someone dropped my mag from four feet and broke the installed bulb, and the tail spare. no problems since, exept leaking batteries because I left them in so long.
 
I had the NiteIze 3-led drop in for the minimag. Not completely horrible, just your typical 3x5mm led cluster; nothing special.
 
:D Go quickly to your neighborhood Lowe's store to pick them up at those great prices. These are part of their Black Friday specials and are good thru Dec 1 or until they run out. The 2AA LED light is also $10.97. Both are a steal. This is for the complete flashlight, not just the LED module. Got mine early this morning. :thumbup:
 
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